Human nutrition. Applied nutrition最新文献

Although there have been several studies of the nutritional intake and status of elderly sections of industrialized countries such as Britain, the United States and Australia, most of these studies relate to institutionalized elderly or those receiving social support such as meals-on-wheels. The study reported here presents the results of a dietary survey of a randomly selected group of free-living younger elderly residents of Adelaide, Australia. Mean intakes for most nutrients were equal to or above the recommended intakes. The proportion of subjects 'at risk' was not as high as reported for less able elderly groups but the nutrients 'at risk' were similar, namely: folate, calcium, vitamin B6, zinc, magnesium and copper. Comparisons with the results of two other random surveys of free-living elderly residents of Boston and Gothenburg showed some variation in total intakes especially amongst women but many similarities in the patterns of nutrient density and nutrients 'at risk'.

Changes in nutrient intakes which were recorded in the diets of cardiac patients at 1-year follow-up were maintained at 6-year follow-up, with the exception of fibre intake. Twenty-three patients, 60 per cent of the original study, were available for assessment at 6-year follow-up. The majority of these patients (74 per cent) had been classified as good compliers at 1-year follow-up. They had maintained the nutrient intakes observed at 1-year follow-up, except for fibre intake which had been reduced. Nutrient intakes of the small number of poor compliers (26 per cent) tended to deteriorate between 1- and 6-year follow-up. Body weight, which was reduced at 1-year follow-up, had increased to initial levels at 6-year follow-up for the total group. Poor compliers showed the greatest increase in weight. Serum cholesterol levels showed little change throughout the study for all patients. Compliance at 1-year follow-up appeared to determine compliance over the longer follow-up period for the study patients and especially for good compliers. More attention needs to be given to evaluating the factors which influence compliance, in particular dietary compliance.

Healthy volunteers (two male and three female in each group) took cod-liver oil supplements in either the fasting (before breakfast) or fed (with lunch) state for 14 days. After a 14-day break the groups treatments were reversed. Blood pressure and pulse were monitored and blood samples analysed for total lipid, total and HDL cholesterol at 2-weekly intervals. One male and one female volunteer acted as controls, having measurements taken but no blood samples. No changes in pulse rate or blood pressure or clotting times were noted, but the ratio of HDL cholesterol to total cholesterol changed in different directions according to time of consumption in those consuming cod-liver oil.

This pilot study was initiated to investigate methods designed to reduce the cost of a total parenteral nutrition (TPN) regimen. Seven patients at the Western General Hospital Edinburgh (WGH) were placed on a standard modified TPN regimen where the total fat, nitrogen and energy content of the regimen was reduced. The nutritional status of each patient was monitored prior to and on completion of TPN. Five out of seven patients lost weight. All of the patients exhibited a rise in plasma alkaline phosphate levels demonstrating possible fatty infiltration of the liver. It is concluded that further research is required to test if there is an ideal 'standard' regimen. It may be that such an entity does not exist and a compromise of two regimens may be necessary.

A survey was conducted to investigate current practices and attitudes of dietitians towards enteral feeding, and to elicit the major changes and advancements which have occurred over the past few years. The results of a questionnaire sent to 215 dietitians in England and Wales, and correctly completed by 74 per cent are reported and discussed.

Twenty-five Bangladeshi families in Tower Hamlets and 25 Caucasian families in East Berkshire were studied to ascertain infant weaning practices. Among the Bangladeshi families there was a high incidence of late weaning, use of sweet convenience foods low in iron and protein, predominant milk drinking, late conversion from bottle to cup, and very late progression onto 'family' foods. Conversely, the families studied in East Berkshire were found to follow the 1980 DHSS guidelines for the weaning of infants. The results of the survey indicated that there is an urgent need for effective education on infant weaning in this community of Tower Hamlets.

A study was conducted to assess the nutrient intake of a group of 18 elderly men and women aged 67-85 years who attend a luncheon club in a North London Borough. Adequate intakes of most nutrients were demonstrated with the exception of zinc, although due to wide individual variation some people had intakes greatly below recommendations. The contribution of the luncheon club meal to the total diet varied widely between individuals. For the group, the difference between the mean energy and nutrient (except protein) intakes on luncheon club days and non-luncheon club weekdays was not statistically significant. However, for some individuals whose intakes of certain nutrients was low, e.g. vitamin C, it is probable that a greater contribution to the nutrients intake was obtained from the luncheon club meal than from meals consumed at home.

Nitrogen balance and nutrient intake were assessed in five males and four females involved in body building and weight training when consuming their habitual diet and whilst half the group were taking a protein supplement. Pre-supplementation nutrient intakes varied greatly but intakes of some nutrients were lower than RDAs (DHSS, 1979). Protein supplementation did not significantly improve nutrient intake, and it was concluded that it is unlikely to improve nitrogen retention because it does not significantly increase nitrogen intake.

All official recommendations for folate tend to be far in excess of current estimated intakes. Several recent studies have highlighted this, showing satisfactory folate status in healthy populations consuming considerably less than official RDAs. This study takes a critical look at current RDAs for folate. We have recently developed an assay to quantify the end product of folate catabolism in human urine, thus affording the possibility of a more rational and scientific approach to setting the RDA for folate. Results of this study (now confirmed by further work) suggest that, under normal dietary conditions, the body appears to catabolize only about 100 micrograms total folate per day. Furthermore, this rate of catabolism remained relatively unchanged in response to saturating doses of a 5 mg folic acid supplement over several days. It is therefore most unlikely that our diet is as seriously deficient in folate as current official RDAs seem to imply.

This case report illustrates the nutritional difficulties which may be encountered in pregnancy in a Crohn's disease patient who has undergone extensive gut resection. It also highlights the possible application of supplementary parenteral feeding to maintain adequate growth in fetuses small for gestational age because of maternal nutritional deprivation.